NEWPORT, R.I. -- The Salve Regina women's basketball team suffered a narrow 62-50 home playoff defeat to the Western New England Golden Bears on Tuesday evening, effectively ending their season.

The Seahawks never led in the second half of this conference playoff bout, although they trailed by as much as eight points before cutting the deficit down to four, ultimately losing by 12 points in the end due to free throws.

Ashley Rourke (Londonderry, N.H.) did her best to bring the Seahawks to victory, notching a 19-point and 10-rebound double double as the bright spot on a Seahawks offense that scored 50 points, the fourth-lowest mark for the Seahawks offense this season. With the Golden Bears scoring 62 points in the victory, it was also the fourth-lowest total the Seahawks allowed in a loss this season. The Seahawks, thus, defended in hard-nosed fashion led by the likes of Sofia Neary (Wayne, N.J.), who swatted six (!) shots, and senior Megan Henaghan (Whitman, Mass.) who added three blocks.

Despite heightened defensive efforts, the Golden Bears won the game inside the painted area, outscoring the Seahawks 30-16. Western New England's bench also contributed tremendously, adding 22 bench points to Salve's 12, where 10 Golden Bears added points to the Seahawks' five. The Golden Bears opened the second half with an eight-point lead and simply managed the game to victory.

The Seahawks finished this season with a winning record in the conference at 11-7, capping off a successful season. Ending the CCC on a high note, Salve Regina basketball looks ahead to a clean transition into the NEWMAC.